PHD IN THEOLOGY
"Let us try, with God's help, to achieve an understanding of the problem."
鈥揝t. Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will
The PhD program in theology prepares creative, productive scholars for careers of research, teaching and intellectual citizenship in academia, the church and beyond. Students customize an interdisciplinary course of theological study that integrates two of the department鈥檚 four areas of specialization: biblical interpretation, Christian ethics, Christian spirituality and systematic/constructive theology. No matter their chosen areas, all students pursue their training in conversation with the program鈥檚 three orienting frameworks: (1) the relationships between faith and culture, (2) the Catholic and Augustinian traditions, and (3) transformative action in the world. Inspired by St. Augustine鈥檚 imperative to 鈥渦nderstand what we believe,鈥� students combine theory with practice and mind with heart so as to advance theological inquiry and to communicate the ongoing impact of faith in the world.
About Our Students
Our graduate students pursue bold and thoughtful research at the intersections of theology, philosophy, history and politics. Some recent dissertation titles include:
- "Stories, Silence, and Land: Essays on Political Theology and Decolonization
- "Remaining in the Silence of the Flesh: A Study of Emmanuel Falque鈥檚 Sacramental Animality"
- "Mystical Epistolography: Henry of N枚rdlingen (b. 1310) and the Art of the Letter in Medieval Theology"
- "God of Our Weary Years: A Black First Theology of the Holy Spirit"
- "A Hyperphysics of Union: Teilhard de Chardin, Postmaterialist Science, and Scriptural Holism"
- "A Marian Approach to Interreligious Peacebuilding in the Himalaya: Protecting and Empowering Women amid Armed Conflict, Political Instability, and Social Discrimination.鈥�
Our graduates have held postdoctoral positions at institutions like the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Danforth Center for Religion and Politics. They鈥檝e received fellowships from organizations such as the Louisville Institute; the Collegeville Institute; the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy; The Center for Political Theology; St. Mary鈥檚 Madeleva Society; The Augustinian Institute; The Roothbert Fund; and The Asian Pacific American Religions Media Fellowship.
They have also published in leading journals including Modern Theology; The Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Spiritus, Philosophy and Theology; The Heythrop Journal; New Blackfriars; M眉nchener Theologische Zeitschrift; Medieval Mystical Theology; The Heythrop Journal; the Journal of the American Oriental Society; and many more. The have convened symposia and created blogs at the Political Theology Network and Syndicate Network.
And when it comes to life after the degree, our alumni are teaching, writing and leading across a wide range of settings. They hold tenure track and visiting assistant professorships at places like UC Santa Barbara, United Lutheran Seminary, The College of the Holy Cross and Alvernia University. Others work with NGOs and churches, serving as educators, ministers and program directors committed to justice, compassion and community.